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Phineas and Ferb Star in Virtual Experience at WDW Downtown Disney

Joe Kleiman
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Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA — Walt Disney World Resort Guests become the stars of “Phineas and Ferb & YOU: A Brand New Reality” at Walt Disney World Resort. The virtual experience will allow guests to play with animated characters from Disney’s Emmy Award-winning animated series “Phineas and Ferb.” The fun happens at Downtown Disney West Side, next to Bongos Cuban Café through Dec. 1, from 2-9:30 p.m. daily.

How it works: As many as three guests are invited to stand inside the virtual experience set, and out of 20 randomly pre-determined animation segments, characters such as Phineas and Ferb, Agent P or even Dr. Doofenshmirtz will magically appear to play and dance alongside them. It all happens in a virtual on-screen 30-second experience. Afterwards, guests may visit a special website to download and share with family and friends a complimentary souvenir photo of their starring role. To complement this limited time engagement, special Phineas and Ferb merchandise will be available at a nearby merchandise stand.

For more Phineas and Ferb fun at the Walt Disney World Resort, guests may go undercover with Agent P—the alter ego of Perry the Platypus—on a fun-filled quest around World Showcase at Epcot or meet and greet Phineas and Ferb at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

About “Phineas and Ferb”
With over 100 episodes and counting, a live action/animated talk show and a hit TV movie, the success of “Phineas and Ferb” has created opportunities for other Disney divisions including Disney Interactive Studios (Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS and Sony PlayStation 3 video games), Walt Disney Records (soundtracks), Disney Consumer Products (toys/consumer electronics, apparel, accessories, food, health and beauty items), Disney Publishing (over 5 million books, comics and a magazine in 45 countries), Walt Disney Studios Distribution (DVDs), Disney Parks and Resorts (interactive live entertainment experience) and Disney Theatrical Group (a live touring stage show). Disney Studios has a feature film in development.

Water Wars to Showcase New Products at IAAPA 2012

Joe Kleiman
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Pequot Laks, MN, USA — Downpour Derby pits players in a race to get each other wet.  Cranking the pump handle fills the bucket over the head of the opponent–whoever fills it first gets them wet.  This 4 player unit is designed for all ages and can be customized to fit in any water park, amusement park, or splash pad.  See this durable all aluminum attraction in action at the IAAPA show this November (booth #5107) along with the inflatable
Water Wars game.

Now the same Water Wars water-balloon fun is available in an inflatable version using welded seam technology.  There’s no longer a need to run a blower continuously like on a traditional inflatable, simply blow it up and cap it off.  Plays and functions like traditional aluminum units with the flexibility of an inflatable, and appeals to an even greater age range.  You can also see this new model in person at the IAAPA
show, booth number 5407.

Water Wars of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota is a manufacturer of dynamic waterattractions since 1989.

www.waterwars.com

Jumeirah Sceirah Returns With More Intense Thrills

Joe Kleiman
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Dubai, UAE — Wild Wadi Waterpark, which forms part of the Jumeirah Group, unveiled the latest addition to the park to the public today, the new and improved Jumeirah Sceirah.

The new Jumeirah Sceirah, which now has two tandem slides, was unveiled and experienced by members of the media and public. One of the first to experience the new Jumeirah Sceirah was Mohammed Saeed Harib Director of FREEJ, the first 3D animated series in the Middle East.

“I am very excited to be part of Dubai’s newest adventure and take part in the inauguration of such a fun experience,” said Mohammed Saeed Harib.

Guests experiencing the ride will make their way up a towering height of 32 metres where they will stand on a trap door, unable to see what the slides hold below. They will then be released by the trap door, rapidly descending down the 120 metre slide through a tunnel at an astonishing speed of over 80 km/h.

“We are delighted with our latest addition to Wild Wadi. Jumeirah Sceirah was always the most popular and iconic ride in our water park and we are excited for its return. Hopefully the ride will attract thrill-seekers eager for adventure from all over,” said Chris Perry, General Manager of Wild Wadi water park.

Now in its thirteenth year, Wild Wadi water park is Dubai’s favourite family destination offering over 30 rides and attractions for all ages.

Wild Wadi Waterpark, which forms part of the Jumeirah Group portfolio, was launched in 1999 and is one of the largest of its kind outside of North America. Situated between sister properties Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Madinat Jumeirah, Wild Wadi Waterpark is located on Jumeirah Beach Road, a leisurely half hour drive from Dubai International Airport.

13 of the 31 rides are inter-connected , allowing thrill seekers of all ages to experience one adrenaline rush after another without ever leaving the water. The recently launched Tantrum Alley and Burj Surj will soon be joined by an exciting new tandem ride that replaces the iconic Jumeirah Sceirah. The two slides both reach 32m with a length of 120m.

Created by WS Atkins, the engineering and design consultancy firm behind Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Wild Wadi Waterpark is designed around a tale from Arabian folklore featuring Juha and his seafaring friend, Sinbad. The design and attention to detail, including characters to support the theme, led to a World Waterpark Association Industry Innovation Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Design and Theming in its opening year.

About Jumeirah Group:
Jumeirah Group, the Dubai-based luxury hospitality company and a member of Dubai Holding, operates a world-class portfolio of hotels and resorts. Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts includes Jumeirah at Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi; Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray and Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai; Jumeirah Dhevanafushi and Jumeirah Vittaveli in the Maldives; Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai; Jumeirah Frankfurt in Germany; Jumeirah Grand Hotel via Veneto in Rome; Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel & Spa in Mallorca, Spain; Pera Palace Hotel, Jumeirah in Istanbul; Jumeirah Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London and Jumeirah Essex House in New York. Jumeirah Group also runs the luxury serviced residences brand Jumeirah Living; the spa brand Talise; Jumeirah Restaurants; Wild Wadi Waterpark; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management; and Sirius, its global loyalty programme.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum Hosts Successful Gateway Ticketing User Group Meeing

Joe Kleiman
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New York City, NY, USA — A week of learning, networking, revenue generating inspiration and product information was enjoyed by close to 200 participants at Gateway Ticketing Systems’ annual User Group Meeting (UGM) in New York city. The attendees represented more than 60 of the world’s top attractions, including theme parks, museums, zoos and aquariums. Over 30 attendees also led or participated in presentations, panel discussions and forums to share their wisdom and success stories at the event, which was hosted by The National September 11 Memorial & Museum and took place from August 13-16.

The week was full of product presentations, best-practice how-to’s, and customer panels. Attendees also heard from other customers how they’re using Galaxy® to increase revenue and per cap spending. Luis Almonte, IT Systems Architect at the Discovery Science Center, discussed how using the Galaxy Upsell module has increased per cap spending twenty five percent. They also increased efficiency and sales by making it easier for the ticket sellers. Beverly Newsome of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum enjoyed the training sessions: “This was my first time at UGM and the trainings alone have made it absolutely worth attending. It’s good to see the customer presentations on how different places are using Galaxy, but the training sessions are what really brought everything together for me! I just loved them.”

Mary Beth Armbruster, Director of Membership at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science highlighted her appreciation for the built-in product roundtable discussions and customer focus groups: “My favorite thing by far at UGM this year was the focus group session for the Galaxy Interface to The Raiser’s Edge®. It exemplified what sets Gateway apart from other software companies: they create opportunities for real dialog with their customers about Galaxy, how it works and how it can be improved.” Gateway’s Customer Service Manager and UGM Coordinator, Cheryl Hillen added: “The goal of the UGM is to provide industry knowledge through common relationships. Gateway is only a part of the solution for our customers and we strive to bring it all together; and most importantly, learn from our customers. Our user group meetings are the best way to get it all on the table!”

UGM wasn’t all business however, as demonstrated by Derek Chapin, Visitor Services Supervisor at ZEED Metro Parks Tacoma: “I won’t lie. The social events are my favorite part of UGM! They’re fun and you get the opportunity to network with people who are doing the same thing as you – you always learn something.” In the evenings, attendees relaxed and networked at various social events including a cruise around Manhattan by Statue Cruises that featured gorgeous views of the New York skyline, a cityHUNT scavenger hunt and a visit to The National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Participants also had plenty of time to soak in some of the local sites from Gateway customer Empire State Building’s 86th floor observation deck.

The management and employees of Gateway Ticketing Systems extend their thanks to all of the attendees and the UGM Customer Planning Committee for their participation, and look forward to next year’s user conference.

About Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc.:
Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. is the world leader in admission control and ticketing software for the attraction, amusement, and transportation industries. Located in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, Gateway Ticketing Systems provides sales, service and support for Point of Sale and ticketing systems throughout North America and worldwide.

For more information on Gateway Ticketing Systems, visit www.gatewayticketing.com or call +1 (610) 987-4000.

About The National September 11 Memorial and Museum:
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is the not-for-profit corporation created to oversee the design, fundraising, programming, and operations of the Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. The Memorial and Museum are located on eight of the 16 acres of the World Trade Center site. The Memorial was dedicated on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and is now open to the public.

For more information or to reserve a free visitor pass to the 9/11 Memorial, go to 911memorial.org.

RIP Dave Millard

Joe Kleiman
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(September 9, 2012) — IPM News has learned that Dave Millard passed away last night after a long battle with cancer.  Millard was Director of Digital Projects for Spitz.  Prior to that, he was Director of Marketing for Sonics Associates, the audio subsidiary of IMAX Corporation.  InPark Magazine extends our sympathies to the entire Millard family.

New Exhibit at International Spy Museum Celebrates 50 Years of Bond Villains

Joe Kleiman
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Washington, DC, USA (Sept. 6, 2012) /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — As SKYFALL, the latest in the James Bond film series, opens in theaters this November, the International Spy Museum will mount a major new exhibit featuring the most memorable villains who have appeared since 007 first hit the screen in DR. NO in 1962. The interactive exhibit, “Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of Bond Villains,” will feature James Bond’s chief adversaries, their henchmen, lairs, and weapons. Over 100 artifacts from the films will be on display including Zao’s Jaguar XKR from DIE ANOTHER DAY, the satellite from GOLDENEYE, Jaws’ teeth from THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, and Dr. No’s tarantula from DR. NO. Visitors can also swim with sharks, become a villain, and create their own personal lair as part of the exhibit’s many interactive displays.

“We are thrilled to see James Bond’s villains come to life in an exhibit that will mark 50 years of 007 defeating his cunning and brutal adversaries,” said Peter Earnest, the Museum’s executive director and a former CIA covert operations officer. “Throughout the exhibit, visitors will hear real stories from real spies who will share their ‘Bond moments’ and describe connections between the James Bond films and actual world events and espionage tradecraft.”

In addition to comments from members of the intelligence community, the exhibit will feature: immersive environments, exciting interactive opportunities, psychological profiles of the villains, and classic film and audio clips. For the first time ever, the villains will be placed in historical context, enabling guests to explore how the evildoers and their plots have changed to reflect the times and inviting guests to explore the connection between fact and fiction.

Fans of the Museum should check the International Spy Museum’s website (www.spymuseum.org) and 007.com or Facebook pages (www.facebook.com/IntlSpyMuseum and www.facebook.com/JamesBond007) for updates on the exhibit.

Artifacts featured in the exhibit are provided by London-based film company EON Productions, a subsidiary of Danjaq LLC, the producer of the James Bond film series.

About EON Productions: 

EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family. Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with MGM, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films as well as all worldwide merchandising. EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK based production company which makes the James Bond films. The 007 franchise is the longest running in film history with twenty-two films produced since 1962. Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli succeeded Albert R ‘Cubby’ Broccoli and have produced some of the most successful Bond films ever including CASINO ROYALE and QUANTUM OF SOLACE. They are currently producing the 23rd film, SKYFALL.

The International Spy Museum is the only public museum in the United States solely dedicated to espionage and the only one in the world to provide a global perspective on an all-but-invisible profession that has shaped history and continues to have a significant impact on world events. The Museum features the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display, offering a rare glimpse into the whispered world of covert operations and the silent, unknown men and women behind them, making it an experience like no other. The International Spy Museum opened in Washington, D.C., just over 10 years ago on July 19, 2002.

Jake Eberts, Executive Producer of IMAX Film "Jerusalem," Dead at 71

Joe Kleiman
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Montreal, Canada (September 6, 2012) — Jake Eberts, an award-winning film producer, passed away in Montreal this morning following a brief illness.  Among the films to his credit, including four that won Oscars for Best Picture, are Chariots of Fire, Gandhi, The Killing Fields, Dances with Wolves, Driving Miss Daisy, The Dresser, Local Hero, A River Runs Through It, Black Robe, and Chicken Run.

Eberts also produced documentaries, including Disneynature’s Oceans and the IMAX film Journey to Mecca. At the time of his passing Eberts was executive producing the upcoming IMAX documentary Jerusalem.  Through the IMAX format, the film aims to increase public understanding and appreciation for Jerusalem’s historical, spiritual, cultural and artistic uniqueness, as well as highlighting some of the intersections between Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  Select clips from Jersualem are scheduled to be shown during the Films in Production session at the Giant Screen Cinema Association conference in Sacramento, CA, USA on September 19.

New Star Wars Attraction Landing at LEGOLAND Florida in November

Joe Kleiman
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Winter Haven, FL, USA (September 6, 2012) — The FORCE officially arrived today at LEGOLAND® Florida, a 150-acre Central Florida theme park that today unveiled plans for its all-new LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Cluster. Opening in November 2012 and crafted entirely from 1.5 million LEGO bricks, the interactive area will include scenes and characters from the iconic movie series. During the morning announcement event, LEGOLAND Florida General Manager Adrian Jones revealed a massive Millennium Falcon starship as well as a life-sized Darth Maul, the horned, red-faced villain introduced in Star Wars Episode I. The LEGO® Star Wars™ Miniland Cluster will become the eighth interactive area in the park’s Miniland USA, a walk-through, interactive attraction that uses LEGO brick to recreate famous American cities such as Washington DC, New York and San Francisco. For more information, visit www.legoland.com.

Goddard Group Unveils First Attraction Under Design Deal with Lotte World

Joe Kleiman
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North Hollywood, CA, USA (September 6, 2012) — The Goddard Group today released this concept illustration of Jumping Fish, a new multimedia flat ride at South Korea’s Lotte World theme park.  The attraction is the first in a multi-attraction being developed by Goddard Group for the park.  According to the company, “Jumping Fish is an all-new family ride that will be among the most heavily-themed flat rides in the whole world, combining a thrilling family experience with animatronics, lavish themed environments, and 4D special effects.”

Electrosonic Provides AV Systems to North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ New Nature Research Center

Joe Kleiman
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Los Angeles, CA, USA (5 Sept, 2012) — The Nature Research Center (NRC) wing of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences dazzled visitors at its recent opening with its array of unique interactive exhibits and experiences featuring audio-visual systems by Electrosonic.

The Raleigh-based museum is the largest of its kind in the southeast. Its new, 80,000-square-foot Nature Research Center offers state-of-the-art labs, research opportunities, interactive exhibits and live presentations designed to make science a tangible and fun experience that helps visitors understand the practical applications of science in their everyday lives. Small Design Firm was charged with designing the interactives; Batwin & Robin Productions was the content producer.

Electrosonic’s design consulting team was involved throughout the project from the concept to the grand opening. “We represented the client’s interests making sure that the approach, the systems’ look and feel, and the integration all came together as planned,” says Yiannis Cabolis, Electrosonic design consultant. “Over the course of five years on the job, there were many changes in the AV world, and the systems themselves evolved. We interfaced with manufacturers and strategic partners to get a good picture of what we could expect to see by installation time.” Cabolis also worked closely with exhibit designer Andrew Merriell & Associates and lead designer Rebecca Shreckengast.

During the course of the extensive build, the most challenging aspect for Electrosonic proved to be the SECU Daily Planet, a globe-shaped structure cantilevered onto the building and spanning the three-story wing. The Daily Planet is an immersive multimedia theater with a 40×40-foot high-definition screen, which offers a massive visual canvas to visitors on all three floors. In its Ambient mode, it presents spectacular scenes from nature through a variety of pre-recorded video content and random imagery. In its Presentation mode, it serves as a backdrop to scientists making daily live presentations on topics as diverse as excavating dinosaur fossils, tracking baboons in Kenya or exploring beyond the solar system.

Electrosonic supplied six Christie WU12K-M series 3-chip DLP digital projectors for maximum brightness and resolution on the Daily Planet’s 40×40-foot HD screen. Four of the projectors provide the blend for the bottom and middle of the screen and two for the upper portion. Four Barco DL3 moving digital light engines paint images on the bands of the screens located between the three floors. All of the projectors operate in Ambient and Presentation modes; Batwin & Robin Productions created the Ambient content.

Four Delta high-resolution uncompressed media servers from 7thSense Design, which were specifically configured for the project, feed the projectors, TV/radio outputs and preview/confidence monitors. The media servers also handle all warping, blending and color balancing. A multi-channel Medialon CobraNet-enabled server, which uses CobraNet-enabled speakers for DSP and delivery, handles audio.

Electrosonic also provided streaming computers to the equipment room and the operator’s control kiosk in the Daily Planet. These computers and a laptop input from the speaker’s podium are routed through live inputs of the Delta servers to the Daily Planet’s main screen in a pre-determined Presentation mode window. The window features one to three occurrences of the same information tiled with a common background to the big screen.

In addition to meeting the AV needs of the Daily Planet theater, Electrosonic furnished AV solutions for 55 innovative experiential media exhibits in the NRC wing, including “magic tables” for specimen identification via RF tags; visitor-veterinary lab observations; a salt-water tank with touch-activated information; and a weather prediction station with live international links.

Among the principal equipment supplied by Electrosonic for these exhibits were projectiondesign and High End Systems projectors; I-Tech touchscreens; Medialon Manager show control; Innovox, Renkus-Heinz and JBL speakers; QSC and Stewart Audio amps; and Peavey audio processing.

David Weiner Design was the lighting designer for the NRC. At Electrosonic, Gary Barnes was the project manager, Carl Hartzler the project engineer, Yiannis Cabolis the design consultant and Les Hill the sales person.

www.electrosonic.com

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